Islamabad, August 15 (RHC)-- At least six militants have been killed after unidentified gunmen carried out separate attacks on two airbases in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said armed terrorists opened fire and hurled grenades at Samungli Airbase in the provincial capital, Quetta, situated 700 kilometers (435 miles) southwest of the national capital, Islamabad, late on Thursday.
He added that assailants fired rockets at the airbase, which landed at a deserted place and caused no human loss. Bugti stated that terrorists also planned to target Khalid Airbase in Quetta. Mohammad Amlish, the provincial police chief, said seven security personnel, including four policemen and three soldiers, were wounded in the gun battle.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the violence. However, similar incidents have been blamed on pro-Taliban militants operating in the area.
Pro-Taliban militants have carried out numerous attacks against security forces as well as civilians since 2001, when Pakistan entered an alliance with the United States on the so-called war on terror.
The Pakistani government has said it will use an all-out military action as a last resort to address the issues of extremism and militancy in the country.